TSA Pre&#10004; &trade; Begins at Pittsburgh International Airport

TSA Pre✔ ™ Begins at Pittsburgh International Airport Tuesday, October 16, 2012 PITTSBURGH – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) today announced the start of TSA Pre✔ ™ operations at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). Under TSA Pre✔ ™ U.S. citizens traveling domestically who are select American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways frequent travelers or members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs are now eligible to participate and may receive expedited screening benefits. The TSA Pre✔ ™ lane at is located at the main terminal.

TSA Pre✔ ™ is part of the agency’s larger effort to implement risk-based security concepts that enhance security by focusing efforts on travelers considered higher risk and about whom the agency knows less. To date, more than 3 million passengers have experienced TSA Pre✔ ™. TSA Pre✔ ™ is now available in 28 airports for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways frequent travelers.

“TSA Pre✔ ™ enhances security by enabling TSA to make risk assessments on passengers who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying,” said Joseph Terrell, TSA federal security director at Pittsburgh International Airport. “As a more intelligence-driven, risk-based approach to passenger screening, TSA Pre✔ ™ helps us move away from the one-size-fits-all model and allows us to optimize our resources at the checkpoint while improving the passenger experience." Eligible passengers include U.S. citizens flying on participating airlines as well as those who are members of CBP Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS. Individuals interested in applying for a CBP Trusted Traveler program should visit www.globalentry.gov.

If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening through the TSA Pre✔ ™ pre-screening process, information is imbedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA reads the barcode at the designated checkpoint and the passenger may be referred to the TSA Pre✔ ™ lane where they will undergo expedited screening, which could include being able to leave their shoes, light outerwear and belt on, allowing them to keep their laptop in its case and their 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels bag in a carry-on.

TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening. TSA’s multi-layered approach to security also includes behavior detection officers, explosives-detection systems, canine teams, and federal air marshals, among other measures, both seen and unseen.

For more information about TSA’s risk-based security initiatives, visit www.tsa.gov.